Discotek Media previously acquired the rights to the first Ashita no Joe movie under the tentative name of Tomorrow’s Joe back in 2017 and it’s been making its way out for streaming. We learned this summer of their plans to bring it out on Blu-ray for the first time with a planned later 2021 debut. That date didn’t hold with the plans as it was revealed as an early 2022 release. That’s now been formally set as a March 29th, 2022 release date is scheduled for it priced at $24.95. It’ll be in Japanese with English subtitles only as it clocks in at 150 minutes. The release will include both the widescreen and full-frame versions along with trailers and a promo film.
It’s available now for streaming for free for Prime members while anyone can rent it for $1.99 or buy it for $7.99 in SD.
Plot Concept: Joe Yabuki has been missing for six months since his bout with rival Rikiishi Toru, but he can’t stay out of the boxing ring for long. Joe returns to train at the gym under Namidabashi Bridge, but due to unsettled trauma from his last fight, he can’t punch his opponents’ faces without getting sick.
Carlos Rivera, otherwise known as the “beltless champion”, is scheduled to fight the World Champion, but when Joe gets a chance to spar with him, it sparks a new rivalry for both of them.
Joe comes to set his sights on Jose Mendoza, the same World Champion that Carlos would fight, so that he may burn so brightly there’ll be no embers left.
